MICHAEL WESTLER, lumber dealer. The Westler family came from Maryland to
Ohio at an early day, where the subject of this sketch was born, in Green
Township, Summit County, July 30, 1827. John and Elizabeth (Blatner)
Westler were his parents, and their occupation was farming. Michael Westler
lived with his parents on the farm until fourteen years old, when his
father died. From that time until 1847, he worked at farming, went to
school, and in the fall of that year commenced the study of dentistry. In
October, 1848, he went West and bought a farm of 104 acres on Section 29,
Johnson Township, La Grange County, paying for it $2.50 per acre. He
boarded at a neighbor's and began improving his place. He was often called
upon to work at dentistry. When he first bought the land there was no
clearing on it. After building him a log cabin; he, on the 5th of April,
1853, married Sarah Ann Stroman, and to them were born -Francis M., Ida M.,
Charles J., deceaseed, Elmer E. and Etta R. R. Mr. Westler has been
married three times. By his second wife there was born one son -William M.,
who died when about seven months old. He married his present wife (Naomi
Wilcox) November 3, 1875. She bore him one daughter -Ottley E. In
February, 1865, Mr. Westler enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and
Fifty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August
31, 1865. In about 1869, he sold a part of his farm, moved to Wolcottville,
and engaged in milling. For a time he had an interest in a saw-mill, but at
present is engaged in the lumber trade and the agricultural implement
business. He is a Republican, and has held various township offices. He is
a member of the I.O.O.F. of Wolcottville, and the La Grange Encampment. He
has represented the lodge at the Grand Lodge, and has held all the offices
of both lodges except that of Secretary. Mr. Westler is an honest gentleman
in every respect. During the war he was a decided loyalist, and during the
trouble with black-legs from 1856 to 1858, he was one of the first to
become identified with the Regulators.